Accelerator switch control



June 3, 1958 D. v. TUTTLE ETAL 2,

ACCELERATOR SWITCH CONTROL 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 14, 1954 INVENTORS E v. nu

E WK w ,.m .r mu m MW June 3, 1958 D. v. TUTTLE ETAL 2,337,522

ACCELERATOR SWITCH CONTROL Filed June 1.4. 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 s m m m m DANIEL V- TUTTLE y WILL/AN D. KELLY IN VEN TOR S DANIEL v. TUTTLE y- WILLIAM D. KELLY D; V. TUTTLE ET AL ACCELERATOR SWITCH CONTROL June 3, 1958 Filed June 14, 1954 VOL TA GE VOL TA 65 VOL TAGE Filed June 14, 1954 June 3, 1958 D. V. TUTTLE ETAL ACCELERATOR SWITCH CONTROL 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fig. 0.

34 LOW-VOLTAG[ U? 2m 25 1 NEUTRAL I 8 MIN.

2 LINE 201%6H @146: $25 23 Fig. 9. 30

070 HEAT ETC.

IOI5202530 40 5055 m z: TIME -$COND5 I520 ETC INVENTOR5 DANIEL V; TUTTLE y WILLIAM D. KELLY ETC.

June 3, 1958 D. v. TUTTLE ETAL ACCELERATOR SWITCH CONTROL 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 14,. 1954 $52.3 l NQ INVENTORS fY nu U D LM L NM mw Patented June 3, 1958 Western 5, to Form This invention relates to automatic controls for electric domestic cooking ranges, industrial ovens, heating elements, electrical pulse devices and electrical circuits.

The accelerator is unique and advantageous over any other accelerator that has been introduced on the market by reason of the fact that all other accelerators are operated with bi-metallic control, whereas our accelerator is a mechanical device, motor driven, assuring a definite cycle time, which protects the connected units from burning out as a result of overtiming which frequently happens with the bi-metallic type of accelerator due to the varying ambient temperatures. This device also operates as an infinite control permitting any degree of heat from approximately 3% to 100% of the connected load, and the device is designed so that when a switch knob is turned from off to any other position on the infinite control, it automatically flashes double or higher voltage into the connected unit for a limited time governed by the position of heat selected by the operator. This double voltage time will vary about 5 seconds to 30 seconds, for instance, and when the switch knob is turned from off to high, a high voltage surge will remain in the units for the full 30 seconds. This maximum 30 seconds as allowed in this device can be varied simply by changing the angula position on the cam.

One manufacturer may want 5 0 seconds of high voltage surge in an application type or style of unit. This can be accomplished simply by changing the profile of the cam and upon the completion of the desired high voltage surge, the mechanism automatically throws the high voltage side out, and throws the low voltage or standard voltage side into the unit, and then the device continues to operate as an ordinary infinite control. Let us again emphaize that it is possible to alter the time cycle governing this operation simply by changing the profiles of the operating cams. A safety factor has been built into this device to protect the connected units from being resurged with high voltage. Once they have been in a heated condition, it is so designed that the high voltage surge cannot be repeated until the device has been completely turned in the off position for 3 minutes. This time value can be varied by changing the profile of the spiral cam. When the device has been turned to the off position, the motor continues to operate for 3 /2 minutes at which time it shuts itself oil automatically and then the unit is ready for a repeat surge of high voltage. If, however, the user decides to commence another cooking operation on the same unit, short of the 3 /2 minute time, she may do so, but she will only get standard heat or voltage. if by any chance, she would want the flash heat or high voltage surge, she would have to turn the unit off and wait for 3% minutes, at which time, when the switch was turned from oil to the on position, it would again flash the high voltage surge. his is not a timer device to control the overall cooking period, but rather a simple application of the infinite control in conjunction with the accelerator described above, and operates to prevent the burning out of heating elements by high voltage.

An object of the invention, therefore, is to provide a control device for heating elements in which high voltage current is flashed into the heating element for a few seconds to quickly bring the heating element up to proper operating temperature.

Another object of the invention is to provide a preliminary flash heating at high voltage, followed by a cooking period in which a pulsating current is passed through the heating element to maintain a uniform temperature in the heat zone.

A further object of the invention is to provide a period of delay after the flash period before the control knob is effective to provide a flash heat so as not to burn out the heating element.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a flash period followed by a cooking period in which the temperature in the heating zone can be varied by changing the time of current application at each current pulsation; also to improve heat controls in other respects hereinafter specified and claimed.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the control device,

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the control device,

Fig. 3 is a sectional view through the control taken on line 3-3 of Pig. 4,

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the control device with cover removed,

Fig. 5 is a sectional view through the control device taken on line 5-5 of Pig. 4,

Fig. 6 is a sectional view through the device taken on line 66 of Pig. 4,

Fig. 7 is a sectional view through the device taken on line 77 of Fig. 4,

Fig. 8 is a wiring diagram of the control device,

Figs. 9, 10 and 11 are graphical representations of the heating cycles provided by the control device, for 70% and 25% heat, respectively.

Fig. 12 is a sectional el vation of the spiral cam and motor switch control lever in the starting position with the cam follower in center position.

Fig. 13 is a View similar to Fig. 12 except that the cam follower is at 96 before the motor switch opens,

Fig. 14 is similar to Fig. 12 except that the cam follower is in its final position and the motor switch is opened, and

Figs. 15 and 16 are elevation and end views respectively of the bow spring assembly.

The general purpose of this device involve the use of a flash period of high voltage, such as 229 volts, in the heating element up to operating temperature. This application of high voltage is for a short time interval, of say 153() seconds, so as not to burn out the heating element. The device then automatically reverts to a lower voltage current of about volts and passes a pulsating current through the heating element until the device is manually turned off. The pe d of time of each pulsation of current during the co ng period, is under the control of the operator 3% to so as to control the temperature the heat zone during the cooking period. in order to prevent the flash current at 220 volts from being turned on when the n element is still quite hot, a spiral cam is used which provides a delayed time of 3 /2 minutes of cooling before the 220 volts current can be turned on.

Referring to Figs. 8, 9, l0 and ii of drawings, a preliminary flash period of preliminary heating is obtained by the application of a 220 volt current to a heating element 21 in an electric oven, not shown, or upper burner, or other heating or mechanical operating device.

This flash period may extend from about 5-35 seconds temperature in the oven or other heating zone. The electric circuit of the invention employs 220 volt power l I f 23 and 24 and a neutral line 25. A double tnrow s'a v 26 has opposed pairs of contacts 27, 23, 29' and 38. the lower or high voltage position, contacts 29 and engage contacts 32 and 33 respectively in line 23.

the upper, or low voltage position, contacts 27 and gage contacts 34 and 35 respectively in neutral line 25. A motor 36 is connected by line 37 across lines 23 and 25. Switch contacts 38 and 39 are also included in the line 37. Switch contacts 4t) and 41 are included in line 24 to be operated by cam 43 to produce a pulsating current of controlled time in the heating element 21 determined by the angular position of cam 42.

The motor 36 may have an output speed of l R. P. M. and is attached to a spacing plate 45 by screws 4-6 (Fig. 2), said plate being attached to a side 47 of a plastic molded case'43 by screws 49. The molded case 43 is more fully described in the application of Tuttle Ser. No. 430,555, filed May 18, l954. The motor 36 has an output shaftSl which is connected to a cam shaft 52 (Fig. 5), said shaft extending through side wall 47 and a side wall 53 of said case 48. Suitable bearings 54 are pro vided in the side walls 47 and 53 to support the ends of shaft 52. A cover 56 closes the open face of case 4-8, being secured thereto by three screws 57,, a

A control shaft 57 extends through the cover 56 and is rotatably supported near one end by a threaded bearing 56 secured to the cover 56 by swaging. The opposite end of shaft 57 is rotatably supported by a bearing 59 which is formed in a rear wall 60 of the case 48. A compression spring 63 is mounted on shaft 57 to urge shaft 57 axially to the left (Fig. 3). A knob 64 (Fig.2) is secured to the protruding end of shaft 57 and has an annular dial 65 on which are inscribed indicia as to indicate the percentage of heat during the cooking period, and also Hi, Lo and off positions. An escutcheon plate 67 is mounted behind dial 65 on a panel plate 68, said plate 67 bearing an arrow 69 which cooperates with indicia 66 to indicate conditions in heating by the heating element 21. A stove panel plate 70 abuts cover 56, and a lock nut '71 on hearing 58, secures the case 43 to the plate 7 The cam 42 is secured near one end of shaft 57 so that said cam 42 rotates with shaft 57 when knob 64 is turned. Cam 42 (Fig. 5) has a spiral cam surface 74 formed on one face thereof, and a follower 75 is at tached to a switch arm 76, as by riveting, said follower being adapted to engage cam surface 74 to vary the position of arm 76 as cam 42 is turned by knob 64. An ofi notch 77 is formed in the cam surface 74. The contact 41 is secured to the upper end of an arm 76, and the mating contact 46 is secured to the upper end of a switch arm 77. The lower end of arm 77 is secured by a tapped rivet 78 to a boss 79 formed on the inside of case 48. The lower end of arm 76 is secured by a tapped rivet 8% to theboss 79. Grooves 82 are formed around the periphery of cam 42 to be engaged by a detent 83 formed on a detent arm 34. A transverse flange 85 on arm 84 is secured by a rivet 86 to the rear wall 69 of case 48. The detent 83 acts to yieldingly hold the cam 42 in any adjusted angular position. i

An outstanding bracket 88 is secured to the switch arm '77, and a single lobe cam 89 is secured to the shaft 52 to engage the bracket 88 and oscillate the arm 77 so as to make and break contacts 40 and 41 and thus produce a pulsating current in the heating element 21. By angular adjustment of knob 64 and cam 42, the distance between contacts 40 and 41 may be varied to regulate the actual time of contact of contacts 40 and 41. Thus, the time of current application at each pulsation may be regulated at any percentage heat, from 3% to 100%. In Fig. 9 is shown 80% heat in the heating zone, while .in Figs. 10 and 11 is shown heats of 70% and 25% respectively;

In order to adjust the cam 42 slightly axially to compensate for wear on the contacts 40 and 41, we provide a set bolt with a lock nut 91. The inner end of bolt 90 engages the bottom of an adjusting lever 92 which is pivotally mounted on two studs 93 which are secured to the rear wall 68 of the case 48. The upper end of lever 92 is bifurcated to partially enclose the bearing 59 to form two arms 94. The upper end of each arm 94 is provided with an arcuate contact member 95 which engages one face of cam 42 to move said cam slightl axially when the bolt 90 is rotated.

The mechanism now to be described, is for the purpose of producing in the heating element 21, a starting double voltage current for about 5 to 30 seconds, to quickly bring said element up to full heat without burning and destroying the heating element. The mechanism also provides a safety factor to prevent a new application of double voltage current to the heating element when said element is in its hottest state. i

A disc-shaped cam 97 is secured to the shaft 52 and has a surface 98 of largest diameter for producing low voltage current in the heating element 21. A smallest diameter surface 99 of cam 97 produces high voltage current in the heating element 21. Two intermediate surfaces 100 and 191 in the cam 97 hold the switch 26 in 3 neutral or off position between low and high voltage in order to reduce arcing at the change over in voltage. A follower 103 in the form of a flat plate of insulating nylon or the like, has a lower rounding nose 104 which engages the cam surfaces 98, 99, 100 and 101 as the cam 97 rotates to reciprocate the follower T03 vertically. The upper end of follower 103 is T-shaped to be received in a U-shaped contact bracket 105 having inwardly extending contact arms 29 and 30. The upper surface of bracket 105, which is preferably of silver, forms contacts 27 and 28, while contacts 29 and 39 are formed by the lower surface.

A bow-spring 197 passes through a clearance opening ltltlin the follower 103 to give flexibility to said howspring and is secured to said follower 1.03 by loose fitting pin 109. One end of bow-spring 197 has a reduced width end 107 which is loosely fitted into a hole formed in the end of a bushing 110. A U-shaped conductor bracket 112 has arm 113 which forms part of the circuit leading to the heating element 21. A backwardly extending arm 114 formed on bracket 112 has a transversely extending flange 115 which is attached by a tapped rivet 116 to the rear wall 60 of case 4% for receiving a screw and conductor leading to the heating element 21. Contacts 33 and 35 are formed on the inside of arms 113 to Contact with contacts 28 and 30.

The bow-spring M7 is provided at the end opposite end 197 with a pair of outstanding ears 117 which engage loosely in registering slots formed in a bracket flange 118. A second bracket flange T19 is attached by and fulcrurned on a square stud 12% having a round end 1 i, said stud being secured to a boss 122 formed in the rear wall 60 of the case 48, as by riveting 123. The bracket flange 113 is provided with a loop 124 which is engaged by a frustoconical point 125 formed on an adjusting screw 126. A threaded section 127 is formed on the screw 12-5 to engage a bushing 128 secured in a boss 129 formed in the case wall 6%). A lock nut 130 is provided on screw section 127 to hold the screw 126 in adjusted position. The action of the point 125 is to put longitudinal compression on the bow spring 107 so that said bow spring 107 normally stays enemas in an upwardly bowed low voltage position unless it is force to bow downwardly to high voltage position by the action of lever arm 132 formed on bell crank lever 133. Lever 133 is preferably formed of Bakelite or other insulating material. After the bow spring has been bowed downwardly by lever arm 132, and the high voltage period is passed, the bow spring is then pushed to the upwardly bowedpcsition (low voltage) by the action of cam surface 93 on follower nose The lever l33 is pivotally mounted on a stud which is secured to a bracket flange ra s formed on a bracket 137. The bracket 137 has a contact 34 secured thereto for closi g the low voltage circuit, and is secured by a tapped et 138 to boss 13$ formed in the rear wall as of case 33, for the screw attachment of neutral conductor A bracl- 141 is secured by a tapped rivet i i-2 to a boss ll l-S-formed in the case rear wall 61) for screw attachment of conductor wire 23. The contact 32 is secured to a flange 145 formed on the bracket 141, for closing the high voltage circuit.

The contact is also secured to one flange of bracket to make contact vith a motor contact 38 secured to a leaf contact spring 1 57 which is secured by tapped riv to case wall so for screw attachment of he conductor wire is. An end 151 on spring 147 is in osition to be actuated by an arm 152 on lever 133 when said lever rocked. in a clockwise direction (Fig. 3). The contacts 38 and 39 are normally closed so that the motor rotates until lever arm 152 opens the motor circuit.

A lever has a hub ldfi which is pivotally supported on a stud secured to case 48. The other end of lever is formed into a flat follower l5! which engages a flat 158 formed on a chord below the periphery of cam 42. Thus, when shaft 537 is rocked in one direction by knob 6d, lever 154 is moved outwardly about stud 156. A follower lever 169 is pivotally mounted on lever by pin 161. A follower flange 162 is formed transversely on lever to bear against the spiral cam face 163 formed on a frusto-conical shaped cam 16 i which is secured to the shaft 52. A tension spring 1165' connects the lever lot to a fixed bracket 165 so as to urge the follower against the spiral cam surface 163. The spiral cam ltd-'1 is so designed that 3 /2 revolutions of the shaft 52, or 3 /2 minutes is required for the cam to move lever arm loll counterclockwise (Fig. 3) to contact arm 152 which in turn contacts spring end 151 to open the circuit 3'7 and stop the rotation of the motor 36. A hub tea is formed on cam to limit the inward movement of lever 16ft under the action of spring 165.

In Fig. 12 is shown the position of the various parts at the start of operations as the follower 164 is about to move from cam surface lt'E -ii to high voltage position as shown in Fig. 13. In Fig. 12, the uppermost position 165,, of the bow spring lb? represents the cooking period when cam nose libe is held clear of the cam 97 by the upward bow of spring As shown in Fig. 13 the follower ill always stops with a slight clearance between the cam surface and follower 1&4 to take the load off the motor and permit the motor to coast under low load conditions. in this view, the follower is positioned about 180 before the motor switch is opened. in 14 is illustrated the final position with the motor switch contacts 33 and 3; opened and the follower against resting on cam surface in operation, turning the knob 64- clockwise or counterclockwise (Fig. l) to the desired percentage of heat, such as 70%, to be used in the cooking period, starts the following sequence of operations; Follower 157 is raised out from fiat 153 on cam 42 and lover snaps under the action of spring to the cam hub 1% so that contacts 38 and 3% close to start the rotation of motor 36 and cam shaft 52. Follower ltld which has been resting on cam surface 1%, now snaps under the action of bow spring 1 37, to a position near cam surface (Fig. 13) and closes high voltage contacts .nd and contacts 29 and 32. 220 volts is now imprened on the heating element 21 to Quickly bring said element up to high heat in 5-2 which has been turned to the 70% heat (Fig. 10), now has its surface 7 acting on follower 75 to determine the time o r contact at each current pulsation, of contacts 40 to make and break said contacts 4%) and 41. this cooking period, follower 143 5 is held out of with cam 97 by the upwardly bowing spring Hi7.

During contact at the the desired cooking period, such as 40 ..L iii minutes or the like, operator turns the knob 64 to off position which allows follower 162 on lever 166 to follow spiral cam 163 for several revolutions whereupon the lever 16% acts on lever arm 152 of bell crank 133 causing it to revolve clockwise (Fi 3). Lever arm 132 of said bell crank 133 now moves downwardly, engaging bow spring 337, forcing contacts 27 and 28 out of engagement with contacts and 35 respectively and forcing follower llbd downwardly against cam surface 1% of cam 9'7. Continued motion of lever puts additional bow in bow spring 15. thus preparing it for future operations; the same continued motion of lever 160 also acts on lever arm 152 which in turn acts on spring end 151 to open contacts and 39 to stop motor 36 thus stopping all mechanical electrical operations instantly. The lever 16% is left in position shown in Pi 14 and follower 157 has moved into place ainst flat L78 on cam 42 in preparation for future 0 ttions. if the operator should change purpose inti nonally or accidentally immediately after turning the knob to or position, and decides to turn it to Hi or some other percentage mark while heating element 21 is still hot, a second application of high voltage is prevented in the following manner; Lever loll snaps back to cam hub 156, and follower 162 starts up the sp ral cam surface 153 and no high voltage current can pass through the heating element 21 for 3 /2 minutes until lever arm is engaged by lever 1 t] to cause lever arm 132 to bow the spring 167 downwardly into high voltage position so that contacts Tall, 33, 29 and 32 can close. Adjustment of the c mpression in how spring 107 is made by adjusting screw 126. Adjustment for wear on contacts 53 and is made by bolt acting on lever plate W.

In the claims to follow, the terms cooking is used to designate any kind of heating process, whether used in domestic cocking ranges, in industrial ovens, or other heating or mechanical eevices. The term heating clement is broadly used to designate any relay, solenoid, synchronized conveyor control circuit, or other industrial device whose motion is to be controlled. This application discloses and claims certain improvements on the devices of patents to Brown and Carson Nos. 2,194,586 and 2,194,587 of March 26, i940.

We would state in conclusion that, while the example illustrated constitutes practical embodiment of our inention, we do not w to limit ourselves precisely to these details, since mamfestly the same may be considerably varied witho departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. in an. automatic control device for a heating element, an electric circuit including said heating element, a motor in said circuit, a double throw switch in said r 7 circuit for supplying either highor low voltage current to said heating element, a flat b0- spring element for actuating said double throw switch, cam means actuated by said motor for automatically actuating said how spring element to produce a flash period of high voltage and a long period of low voltage in said heating element, and a second cam actuated by said motor to cause said current to be pulsating.

2. A device as described in claim 1 characterized by a third cam actuated by said motor for controlling the operation of said double throw switch, manual control means for causing the flow of current through said heating element, said third cam being arranged to prevent a further flow of high voltage current through said heating element by said control means, before said heating element has cooled from its hottest, high voltage condition.

3. In an automatic control device for a heating element, an electric circuit including said heating element, a motor in said circuit, a double throw switch in said circuit for supplying high and low voltage current to said heating element, a flat bow spring element for actuating said double throw switch to high and low voltage and neutral positions, a spiral cam actuated by said motor, control means, and means for operation by said spiral cam to prevent the manual switching of high voltage current to said heating element while said heating element is in hottest condition.

4. The combination with a heating element, of an electric circuit, a motor in said circuit with said heating element, a line power source of high and low voltage current for said circuit, manual control means, a cam shaft actuated by said motor, a cam on said shaft having associated switch means for delivering a pulsating current to said heating element, a second spiral cam on said shaft having associated switch means for automatically operating on said manual control means to prevent the llow of high voltage current through said heating element when said heating element is in hottest condition, and a third cam means on said shaft having associated switch means to provide a high and low voltage current through said heating element.

5. The combination with a heating element, of an electric circuit, a motor in said circuit with said heating element, a line power source of high and low voltage current for said circuit, manual control means, a cam shaft actuated by said motor, a spiral cam on said shaft having associated switch means for automatically operating on said manual control means to prevent the flow of high voltage current through said heating element when said heating element is in hottest condition, a pivotally mounted lever, a follower on said lever arranged to engage said spiral cam, and diagonal spring means to hold said follower yieldingly against said spiral cam.

6. In an automatic control device for a heating element, an electric circuit including said heating element, a line power source of high and low voltage current for said circuit, a motor in said circuit, a cam shaft actuated by said motor, a cam on said cam shaft, switch means associated with said cam for delivering a pulsating current to said heating element, a control shaft, a control cam mounted on said control snaft for varying said switch means, said control earn having a flat in the periphery thereof, a second spiral cam on said cam shaft, a follower lever for engaging said spiral cam, and pivotally mounted lever having a follower to engage said flat, said follower lever being pivotally mounted on said pivotally mounted lever, said control cam being arranged to move said follower from said fiat and disengage said follower lever from said spiral cam.

7. in an automatic control device for a heating element, an electric circuit including said heating element and having a motor therein, a double throw switch in said circuit for supplying high and low voltage current to said heating element, a fiat bow spring element for actuating said'double throw switch, and means for automatically actuating said bow spring element to produce a flash period at high voltage in said heating element and a long period of low voltage in said heating element, the said means including cam means associated with said motor to actuate said bow spring element.

8. A heating element control through which current is'suppliable to aheating element from a three wire feed having two wires between which a high voltage current is suppliable and a third wire between which and each of said two wires a low voltage current is suppliable, said control having switching means through which the opposite ends of the heating element are connectible to the three wire feed for supply of current thereto, the said switching means being adjustable to two positions for supply of high voltage current and low voltage current respectively to the heating element, and the said control having timing mechanism by which said switching means is adjustable to the high voltage current supply position for a constant length of time before each occasion of adjustment thereof to the low voltage current supply position, the high and low voltage current supply being regulated by a switch which is repetitively opened and closed by a motor and provided with manually adjustable means by which the ratio of closing time of the repetitive operations of said switch to the open time thereof is selectively variable.

9. A heating element control through which high voltage current and low voltage current is selectively suppliable to the heating element, and wherein the high voltage current is suppliable to the heating element for a selected period of time before each occasion of selective supply of the low voltage current thereto, and a timing mechanism which is operable to preclude supply of high voltage current to the heating element for a selected length of time after each occasion of selective 7 current supply to the heating element, the said control having a motor and separate cam means operated by the motor and controlling respectively the duration of the time that the high voltage current is supplied to the heating element and the duration of the time that the supply of high voltage current is precluded.

10. A heating element control through which high voltage current and low voltage current is selectively suppliable to the heating element, and wherein the high voltage current is suppliable to the heating element for a selected period of time before each occasion of selective supply of the low voltage current thereto, and a timing mechanism which is operable to preclude supply of high voltage current to the heating element for a selected length of time after each occasion of selective current supply to the heating element, the said control having motor operated timing mechanism controlling the duration of the time that the high voltage current is supplied to the heating element and the duration of the time that the supply of high voltage current is precluded and wherein the motor continues to operate for a prescribed length of time after termination of either selected supply of current to the heating element.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

